Toyota Prius sales top list for state in 2012

The Toyota Prius was the best-selling new car in California last year, with 60,688 registrations in 2012, according to data released last week by the California New Car Dealers Association.

Prius sales registrations put it ahead of the Honda Civic (57,124), the Toyota Camry (50,250) and the Honda Accord (49,420).

The state's top-selling full-size pickup was the Ford F-Series, with 25,434 registrations.

Statewide, new motor vehicle registrations surged more than 25 percent over 2011, according to the Sacramento-based association.

CNCDA said retail and fleet sales totaled 1,617,103 last year, up from 1,290,920 in 2011. Last year's numbers were the best since 2007.

"With California's economy on the rebound, consumers feel confident again about buying a new car, and there has never been a wider selection of models to choose from," said Darryl Holter, CNCDA chairman.